Anmeldung: All You Need to Know
This page explores everything you need to know about Anmeldung in Germany. We cover all the frequently asked questions to help you through the all-important address registration process.
What is Anmeldung?
Anmeldung is the official process of registering at a residential address in Germany.
When must I complete my Anmeldung?
Legally, you must complete your Anmeldung within 2 weeks of moving to a new address in Germany if you intend on living in Germany for more than 3 months.
Where can I complete my Anmeldung?
You can complete your Anmeldung at your local Bürgeramt (Citizens Office) after your arrival in Germany. Search [city or town name + Bürgeramt] to find your local citizens office.
If you are moving to one of Germany’s larger cities, then check out the Bürgeramt links below:
If living outside of Germany’s largest cities, then here is a useful tool for finding your local Bürgeramt. Just enter your postcode and toggle to the Einwohnermeldeamt tab:
Why do I need Anmeldung?
There are various reasons why Anmeldung is necessary in Germany:
Anmeldung is a legal prerequisite for living in Germany.
You require Anmeldung in order to obtain an address registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung). You require this certificate to apply for a visa in Germany, open certain German bank accounts, take out a phone/internet plan, etc. Put simply, life in Germany becomes very hard without first officially registering at an address.
You require Anmeldung in order to obtain a German tax ID. (Steueridentifikationsnummer). Your German tax ID is automatically created and sent to your registered address after your Anmeldung appointment at your local Bürgeramt (Citizens Office). Your German tax ID is a key requirement for starting a job in Germany.
From an administrative point of view, life in Germany cannot get started without first completing your Anmeldung.
How do I complete my Anmeldung?
The process for getting Anmeldung is largely the same wherever you are living in Germany:
1️⃣ Find an apartment or house in Germany that permits Anmeldung
In order to register at an address in Germany, you first need to find an address to live at. While this sounds straightforward, this is often the most challenging part of the Anmeldung process, especially in cities like Berlin where the demand for housing far outstrips supply.
Thankfully, there are some short to mid-term accommodation providers that can be booked online prior to your arrival in Germany. These providers offer high-quality furnished accommodation and are a quick and convenient way of ensuring you complete your Anmeldung within your first few weeks in Germany:
These accommodation providers all offer accommodation across Germany, with a particular focus on Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Cologne, Dusseldorf and Mannheim. In our opinion, they are a great starting point for completing your initial Anmeldung in Germany while searching for long-term housing.
For longer-term accommodation options in Germany, see our German Apartment Hunting Guide.
2️⃣ Prepare your Anmeldung paperwork
Once you have secured accommodation in Germany where you can complete your Anmeldung, the next step is to prepare your Anmeldung paperwork. So, what documents do you need for Anmeldung?
As a minimum, you will need to bring the following documents to your Anmeldung appointment:
✅ A Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form
This is a simple form that must be completed and signed by your landlord or property owner. The form provides written confirmation from the landlord or property owner that you are permitted to register at the address. Most Bürgerämter (Citizens Offices) have their own template form. However, they always request the same information:
Name and address of the landlord or property owner.
Your move-in date.
Address of the property where you are completing your Anmeldung.
Your full name (as shown on your passport).
Here are template Wohnungsgeberbestätigung forms that you can use if living in Germany’s bigger cities:
If you are moving elsewhere in Germany, visit your local Bürgeramt (Citizens Office) website or office to find their template Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form. Once completed, the form must be dated and signed by the property owner or landlord.
❗ A main tenant can also complete and sign the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form for you. However, in this situation, it is important that the landlord or property owner has permitted this and is aware that you are registering at their property.
✅ An Anmeldung form
You also need to complete and submit an Anmeldung form when completing your address registration. The Anmeldung form is where you provide the Bürgeramt (Citizens Office) with all your personal details, incl. your full name, date of birth, sex, nationality, religious affiliations, passport details, etc.
As with the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form, German cities have their own template Anmeldung forms:
If you are moving elsewhere in Germany, visit your local Bürgeramt (Citizens Office) website or office to find their template Anmeldung form. Once completed, the form must be dated and signed by yourself.
For further help, check out our guide on how to complete your Anmeldung form in Germany.
✅ A passport
You will need to show a valid passport as identification at your Anmeldung appointment.
✅ Proof of civil status (if applicable)
When completing your Anmeldung in Germany, you will need to provide details of your civil status if you are married, in a civil partnership, divorced or widowed. For this, you must show:
An original marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, divorce decree or death certificate.
AND
A certified German translation of this certificate. To arrange a certified translation, we recommend using lingoking, a reputable translation agency that can quickly arrange for a court-sworn translator to translate your document.
✅ Birth certificate (if applicable)
If you are also registering your children at your address, then you must show:
Original birth certificates for your children.
AND
A certified German translation of the birth certificates. To arrange a certified translation, we recommend using lingoking, a reputable translation agency that can quickly arrange for a court-sworn translator to translate the certificates.
✅ A visa (if applicable)
If you have a national visa (category D visa) or a German residence permit, then you should also bring this to your appointment.
❗ If you are completing your Anmeldung with a spouse or child, then each family member must submit their passport as well as the full application documents listed above.
3️⃣ Book an Anmeldung appointment
Once you have gathered all the documents required for completing your Anmeldung, the next step is to secure an Anmeldung appointment at your local Bürgeramt (Citizens Office). You best way to schedule an appointment is usually online. Below, we have provided links to the appointment booking platforms for the largest German cities:
You may also be able to schedule an appointment in person at your local Bürgeramt (Citizens Office) or over the phone.
❗ Only married couples and families can register multiple individuals at the same Anmeldung appointment. Unmarried couple and flatmates must each have their own separate Anmeldung appointments.
While a pre-booked Anmeldung appointment is often required in Germany’s larger cities, this is often not the case in smaller towns and less busy Bürgerämter (Citizens Offices). If you are not able to pre-book an appointment, then you can often just turn up when your local Bürgeramt opens, draw a waiting number from the machine and be seen shortly thereafter to complete your Anmeldung.
4️⃣ Attend your Anmeldung appointment
The final step in the process is to actually attend your Anmeldung appointment. On the date of your appointment, you must:
Arrive at the Bürgeramt (Citizens Office) at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
Take a seat in the waiting area and wait for your appointment number to show on the screen.
Once your appointment number is shown, enter the processing room. Hand over all your Anmeldung documents (listed in step 2 above) to the Bürgeramt worker.
The Bürgeramt worker will now process your Anmeldung. Once completed, they will provide you with your address registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung).
The Anmeldung process is now completed. Congratulations, you are a registered resident in Germany! You can now expect to receive your German tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer) at your registered address within 2 – 4 weeks of your Anmeldung appointment.
How long does the Anmeldung process take?
The entire Anmeldung process takes around 10 – 15 minutes. At the end of your appointment, you will receive your address registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung) on the spot.
My town/city does not have a Bürgeramt. Where do I complete my Anmeldung?
When searching online for your local Bürgeramt (Citizens Office), it may appear that this does not exist in your town or city in Germany. This is because a Bürgeramt often has a different name in different parts of Germany – in particular, it is often called a Bürgerbüro, Rathaus or Kundenzentrum.
How much does Anmeldung cost?
Anmeldung is free at almost all Bürgerämter (Citizens Offices) across Germany.
However, there are certain offices that charge a small administrative fee. For example, it costs €12 to complete your Anmeldung in Hamburg.
Is Anmeldung possible without an address?
It is not possible to complete your Anmeldung without an address. Therefore, a priority when arriving in Germany is to find suitable accommodation where you can register your address.
Thankfully, there are some short to mid-term accommodation providers that can be booked online prior to your arrival in Germany. These providers offer high-quality furnished accommodation and are a quick and convenient way of ensuring you complete your Anmeldung within your first few weeks in Germany:
Is Anmeldung possible without a contract or lease?
You are not required to show an accommodation contract or lease when completing your Anmeldung.
However, you do require a signed Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form from the landlord or property owner. This form provides written confirmation from the landlord or property owner that you are permitted to register at the address.
Is Anmeldung possible without a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form?
It is not possible to complete your Anmeldung in Germany without a completed and signed Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form from the property owner or landlord. Since 2015, this is one of the key documents required when registering at an address in Germany.
❗ A main tenant can also complete and sign the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form for you. However, in this situation, it is important that the landlord or property owner has permitted this and is aware that you are registering at their property.
Is Anmeldung possible without an appointment?
It depends! While a pre-booked Anmeldung appointment is often required in Germany’s larger cities, this is often not the case in smaller towns and less busy Bürgerämter (Citizens Offices). If you are not able to pre-book an appointment online or over the phone, then you can often just turn up when your local Bürgeramt opens, draw a waiting number from the machine and be seen shortly thereafter to complete your Anmeldung.
Can I complete my Anmeldung at an Airbnb or hotel?
In the majority of cases, it is not possible to complete your Anmeldung at an Airbnb or hotel. If you have booked a long-term stay, then there are instances where a landlord or property owner will permit this, although this is very uncommon.
For tips on how to find an apartment in Germany that permits Anmeldung, see our German Apartment Hunting Guide.
Is Anmeldung a residence permit?
Anmeldung is not a residence permit. Anmeldung is the official process of registering at a residential address in Germany. A residence permit is a long-term visa that permits you to live in Germany.
For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for various residence permits (visas) in Germany, see our German Visa Guides.
Do EU citizens require Anmeldung?
Both EU and non-EU citizens require Anmeldung when living in Germany if they plan on staying for more than 3 months.
Can I register my whole family at the same appointment?
Yes, you can register your spouse and children at the same Anmeldung appointment. However, you will need the complete application documents for each family member as well as their original passports with you. As a minimum, you will require the following for each family member:
A Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form (multiple family members can be listed on the same form).
An Anmeldung form (multiple family members can be listed on the same form).
A passport.
A marriage certificate + a certified German translation.
Birth certificate for a child + a certified German translation.
If your spouse will not be attending the appointment with you, then it may be helpful to also have a signed letter of attorney (Vollmacht) with you. This is just a simple written authorisation allowing you to act on behalf of your spouse at the Anmeldung appointment.
Can I register at the same appointment as my flatmate or girlfriend/boyfriend?
No. Unmarried couples and flatmates must each have their own separate Anmeldung appointments.
Will I need to speak German at my Anmeldung appointment?
Officially, Bürgeramt workers are only permitted to communicate with you in German (although some are quite lenient on this restriction and will speak some English). If your German is not quite up to scratch, we recommend taking a German speaker with you to your Anmeldung appointment.
Why do I need to declare my religion when completing my Anmeldung?
When completing your Anmeldung form, you will be asked to declare whether you are part of a religion. There is a simple reason for this – if you are a member of the Catholic, Protestant or Jewish church, you are required to pay church tax in Germany, which equates to an additional 8–9% of your income tax.
If you declare your religion on your Anmeldung form, the Bürgeramt will communicate your religious affiliation to your local tax office (Finanzamt). The Finanzamt will then collect the church tax from your monthly salary and pass this on to your church denomination.
If you are not a member of a church or do not wish to pay church tax, then you can simply enter that you are not religious on the Anmeldung form. However, this will bar you from using church services in Germany in the future (e.g. for a wedding or child’s baptism).
What happens if I do not complete my Anmeldung within 14 days?
Legally, you are required to complete your Anmeldung within 14 days of moving into your address. Failing to do this can result in a fine of up to €1000 – yikes!
However, in reality, we have never heard of a fine of this size being dished out. At worst, failing to register your address within 14 days may result in a telling-off by the Bürgeramt staff. Usually, they are fairly forgiving as they know it can be difficult to obtain an Anmeldung appointment within 14 days of moving into a new address.
The main thing to be aware of is that failing to complete your Anmeldung quickly will delay your set-up in Germany. Without Anmeldung, you cannot apply for a visa, obtain a German tax ID or open certain German bank accounts.
My name is not on the letterbox. Can I still complete my Anmeldung?
When you complete your initial Anmeldung in Germany, your German tax ID is automatically created and sent to your registered address (Steueridentifikationsnummer). In order to receive your German tax ID at your registered address, your surname must be on the letterbox.
If your name is not on the letterbox at your registered address, then you need to add ‘care of’ or C/O instructions to your address when completing your Anmeldung form. Essentially, you are specifying that someone else is accepting mail for you at the address.
Here is an example of how to include ‘care of’ instructions in a German address:
[Your name]
C/O [name of the person on letterbox]
Metzer Straße 10
10405 Berlin
Can I open a bank account without Anmeldung?
In Germany, the majority of high-street banks require that you have a registered address in order to open a bank account. They will require to see your address registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung) when signing up.
Thankfully, there are some online German banks that allow you to open an account without Anmeldung. Our top pick for this is N26, an expat-friendly digital bank that offers a quick sign-up process, is free to open, has no monthly charges and offers free ATM withdrawals.
Can I complete my Anmeldung in advance of moving in?
No. Even if you have all the paperwork ready, you cannot complete your Anmeldung in advance of your actual move-in date.
Can I complete my Anmeldung online?
No matter where you are living in Germany, you must almost always complete your Anmeldung at an in-person appointment at your local Bürgeramt (Citizens Office). Completing your Anmeldung online is not possible.
Can I complete my Anmeldung at a sublet?
In theory, it should be no problem to complete your Anmeldung at a sublet property. Either the landlord, property owner or main tenant can provide the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form. If this form is completed by the main tenant, it is important that the landlord or property owner has permitted you to register at the property and is aware that their property is being sublet.
We hope you have found this comprehensive overview of the Anmeldung process helpful. For further tips on how to get set up in Germany, see our other guides: